NU HOPING REAL TURF BRINGS EVEN GREENER PASTURES IN '97

Andrew Gottesman, Tribune Staff WriterCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Northwestern football is for real. And now that includes the team's home turf.

Northwestern athletic director Rick Taylor confirmed Tuesday the athletic department will install natural grass in Dyche Stadium this spring as part of an ongoing renovation. The venue last featured natural grass in 1972.

"I think it's basically one of (coach) Gary Barnett's preferences, for recruiting," Taylor said. "And for purists, I suppose it's nice to play the game on God's green field instead of synthetic stuff."

Barnett, vacationing in Hawaii, couldn't be reached for comment. He said last summer he personally favors artificial turf. Northwestern's old surface, however, apparently became an issue with too many high school prospects.

In an interview last summer, though, the coach explained his views.

"There's a perception grass is safer. It isn't," Barnett said. "But when I recruit a kid, especially in the South, they say, `Do you play on grass?' When I say no, they say, `Oh, no.' "

The Wildcats will use their indoor facility to practice for road games on artificial turf, Taylor said. Northwestern is studying where to relocate the old synthetic surface.

Many schools, including Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa, have switched to natural grass the last decade. Northwestern actually bucked the trend in 1994, when it installed new carpet.

"When it was put in, we were like, `They should put in grass,' " senior defensive end Keith Lozowski recalled. "It's a better feeling after a game, when you're all dirty instead of having rug burns.

"Overall, players probably prefer it because you don't take the pounding on your body."